the keys to Ramadhan
The writer, Ayyad Dilawar Padhani is in Marketing at his family optical practice. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Marketing and related support services. He has been rendering community services from a very early age.
F
asting, particularly in the Holy Month of Ramdhan has direct and indirect pathways to flourishing the human being. Flourishing is the rejuvenation, and the moving forward or development of the human mind, body and soul. Fasting also has an impact on our social lives, relationships, physical health and spirituality.
Some of the positive physical impacts of fasting include but are not limited to:
- Reduces mental fog, Improves thinking and memory
- Reduces risk of or better control type 2 diabetes
- Improves physical performance
- Protects against age related neurodegenerative disorders, heart diseases and many cancers as well.
Furthermore, not eating or drinking for more than 12 hours, enables us to be grateful for our access to eating daily on other days after Ramdhan. While we become thankful for what we have, we naturally gravitate towards more giving, having understood and felt the pain of hunger, now more aware of those who have not had a meal (whether the beggar on the street or our quiet neighbour we haven’t checked in on).
Restricting ourselves, even when no one but Allah (swt) is watching, trains our souls, reminds us of and strengthens our ability to constantly be watchful of our deeds, especially when it comes to prohibited misdeeds. If we are able to withstand something we absolutely need, most of the haraam acts fall under wants.
Wealth, children, and worldly abundance can make us forget Allah (swt), or become arrogant because of our vast power and possessions, taking you to the story of the 2 gardens in surah Kahf (32-44). ‘Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope’ (18:46), this ayah further reminds us to focus on the hereafter, through spiritual everlasting good deeds, while also detaching from the ornaments of this world, wealth and what it can purchase, and children who bring purpose and joy to life.
Finally, fasting makes us uncomfortable in our day to day operations, which makes me wonder how comfortable are we throughout the year, and at what comfort level do we start to forget Allah (swt) and his commandments to us.
We must renew our resolution this Ramdhan to hold on to the lessons we are blessed to learn in this holy month, and upkeep some of the good habits we may have started, as well as refrain from some if not all bad ones we stopped. Let us make a resolution to up the good deeds in the last 10 days and nights of the Holy Month, such as charity, helping others, family, relatives, ibadah such as namaaz, reciting more quran, duas, and more.
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